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"We brought a young team to Teheran, with an average age of 19.5, because we... (had) next year's SEA Games in mind," the French coach told The New Paper.

"It was a beneficial experience for the team to face an opponent with different tactics at a good level.

"I know (our) players already, but it was important to be able to get together as a team so they can train and play together.

"This will also allow me to test out different tactics and formations.

"For example, I didn't know what Irfan Fandi could do as a defender, but he showed in two tough matches that he can be a very solid defender in the future.

"Ikhsan Fandi can be the next good striker for Singapore because he has the physique for it, and has a good feel for the goal.

IMPRESSED

"Other players also impressed me, like Amir Zalani from Home United and Rusyaidi Salime from Garena Young Lions."

Of the 21-strong squad Tardy named for the Teheran trip, 12 are from the Garena Young Lions and four from Home United, including local icon Fandi Ahmad's two sons Irfan and Ikhsan.

Other S.League clubs Tampines Rovers, Warriors FC, Hougang United, Geylang International and Balestier Khalsa all had a player each in the squad.

Tardy, who assisted former Liverpool manager Gerard Houllier during France's U-18 European Championship triumph in 1996, led Rwanda to the Under-17 World Cup in 2011 and was hired by the FAS last July as a head coach of the national youth teams.

While the FAS has not made a formal appointment ahead of next year's SEA Games in Kuala Lumpur, it is understood the Frenchman is the frontrunner to lead the team.

The 65-year-old said the FAS has a "long-term plan" to prepare for the biennial tournament.

"It is still too early to tell how we will do at the SEA Games... but we have a long-term plan to prepare well for this," said Tardy.

"The target for now is to find more friendly games against strong opponents, and participate in competitions like the Nations Cup, to give this team opportunities to experience international football.

"I like the spirit of this team and I hope we can stay together because I believe we can achieve a lot together.

"Having said that, I want to stress that the door to the Under-21 national team is always open (to any player) - it will be excellent for Singapore if we can find more good players in the next year and a half."